Jose Mourinho’s extraordinary football career is examined in a new, three-part documentary to be released, tracing the manager’s incredible success, his notoriously controversial nature and his battle to sustain his dominance.
Directed by Joe Pearlman, the series revisits the rise of the Portuguese, from an aspiring coach to one of the most successful, and divisive, personalities in the game today.
Mourinho announced his breakthrough on the global stage by winning the Champions League trophy with an unfancied FC Porto in 2004, before following this up with a trophy-laden spell at Chelsea FC, culminating with him winning two Premier League titles in four years during his first tenure.
The documentary also delves into Mourinho’s fiercest rivalries, none more prominent than the battles with Pep Guardiola while he was in charge at Real Madrid and his repeated clashes with match officials, sports journalists and managers of rival clubs.
The “Special One” nickname is questioned and Mourinho is interviewed on how he acquired it, and the film also delves into his infamous siege mentality style to get the best out of his players while infuriating so many others along the way.
Former players are on hand to talk of their undying loyalty to him and the incredible bond he cultivated with his squads, but the film ultimately looks into why Mourinho’s success became more of a boom-and-bust cycle over time.
The documentary also provides rare insight into Mourinho’s private life, including his family and the weight of expectation upon him. However, ultimately, the film shows Mourinho to be an intense and highly ambitious individual with strengths and weaknesses to match his career.
